Skirt-guide



(No Model.)

M. A. PETGEN. SKIRT GUIDE.

No. 599,573. Patented Feb. 22, 1898.

FIBJ.

INWR.

v Att'y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARY A. PETGEN, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

SKIRT-GUIDE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 599,573, dated February 22, 1898.

Application filed February 4, 1 897 Serial No, 621,993. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I MARY A. PETGEN, of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Skirt- Guides, of which improvement the following is a specification. 1

The object of my invention is to provide asimple and effective appliance by the employment of which an accurate indication may be made entirely around the edge of a ladys skirt, when fitted upon the wearer, of the line upon which the same must be cut in order that its bottom shall hang uniformly throughout its entire extent at a desired level relatively to the ground. 1

To this end myinvention, generally stated, consists in the combination of a stand, a guide-carrier rotatable thereon, and a marking-guide connected to the carrier; also, in the combination of a stand, a guide-carrier rotatable thereon, and a marking-guide connected to and adjustable on the carrier; also,

in thecombination of a stand, a guide-car rier rotatable thereon, a marking-guide, and a marking-rest, each connected to the carrier.

The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a skirt-guide, illustrating an embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2, a plan or top view of the same, and Fig. 3 a vertical central section through the same.

In-the practice of my invention I provide a stand or pedestal 1, which may rest upon legs 2 or on a central support and which, preferably, has secured centrally upon its top a foot-plate 3, fitted with marks or rests 4 for the feet of the person on whom a skirt is to be fitted. The stand 1 is circumferentially grooved or recessed to receive the annular body portion 5 of a guide-carrier, which is made up of said body portion and an arm 6, which extends downwardly and outwardly therefrom. The guide-carrier is fitted to rot-ate freelyaround the stand, and if the latter be made of wood a circular track or way 7, of metal,having an'annular cap-plate 8, is preferably secured upon it to form the groove or recess which receives the body of the guidecarrier. Ball or roller bearings of any of the known forms may, if desired, be interposed between the track and guide-carrier to promote the easy rotation of the latter.

The arm 6 of the guide-carrier is secured to the body 5 thereof in any suitable manner, as by being inserted in a socket 9, and extends first downwardly to a level at a convenient distance above the bottom of the legs of the-stand and thereafter extends horizontally for a sufficient distance to constitute a radius bar which may sweep around the largest skirt ordinarily worn. In order to in sure ample stability and obviate liability to the sagging of the arm 6, its outer end may, if desired, be supported on a caster-wheel 10, traversing on the floor on which the appliance stands. A vertical marking-guide 11 is connected to the arm 6 and is longitudinally adjustable thereon to suit skirts of different widths. In the instance shown the markingguide is fitted in a block 12, adapted to slide on the arm 6 and to be fixed in any desired position thereon by a set-screw 13. It may also be made vertically adjustable 0n the arm, if desired, and be marked with a scale of inches and fractions.

To render the appliance adaptable to use with comparatively short skirts, the markingguide is provided with an adjustable extension-piece 14, passing through a block 15, which is movable longitudinally on the main section 11 of the guide and can be secured at any desired height thereon by a set-screw 16. The extension-piece may also be raised and lowered relatively to the block 15 andrfixed in position thereon byaset-screw 17 A scale of inches and fractions may also be marked uponthe extension-piece.

A chalk-holder 18 for the reception of a chalk or crayon is adapted to fit on the up per end of the main body of the markingguide or of the extension-piece, accordingly as one or the other is employed, and serves to mark upon the skirt an indication of the .level at or adjoining which it is to be cut stem 20 is fitted in a sliding block 21 which is secured by a set-screw 22 5 but it will be obvious that, if preferred, it maybe connected to the block 12, which carries the markingguide; It should also be so fitted as to be vertically adjustable, so as to stand in proper relation to the marking-guide.

In operation the marking-guide is fixed upon the guide-carrier arm in such position as to stand close to the skirt of the person to be fitted, who stands upon the foot-rests of the stand 1, and. the marking-guide is either adjusted to desired height or a desired level upon it is noted by the operator. The guidecarrier is then rotated around the stand by the operator, and the indication of the uniform level at which the skirt is to be cut may be either marked thereon by a chalk or crayon carried by the marking-guide or be made by the operator by basting or inserting pins in accordance with her observation of the level of the top of the marking-guide or of the mark thereon, which may be selected as the level, as the marking-guide passes successively around the diiferent portions of the skirt.

It is Well known that much difficulty is encountered in fitting skirts in the ordinary way, owing to the fact that measurements cannot be accurately made at every point Without very much delayand inconvenience, and the requirements of the special peculiarities of form of each individual for whom a skirt is to be made must be complied with in order to produce a skirt which will fit and hang properly. I have found in practice that my improvement enables this to be done with accuracy, certainty, and great saving of time, and provides, for this reason, a very desirable and economical implement for the use of dressmakers.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent-- 1. In a skirt-guide, the combination of a stand, a guide-carrier rotatable thereon, and a marking-guide connected to the carrier.

2. In a skirt-guide, the combination of a stand, a guide-carrier rotatable thereon, a marking-guide connected to the carrier, and means for adjusting the marking-guide relatively to the carrier.

3. In a skirt-guide, the combination of a stand, a guide-carrier rotatable thereon, a marking-guide connected to the carrier, and an extension-piece connected adjustably to the marking-guide.

4. In a skirt-guide, the combination of a stand, a guide-carrier rotatable thereon, a marking-guide connected to the carrier, a marking-rest connected to the carrier, and means for adjusting the marking-guide and marking-rest relatively to the carrier.

5. I11 a skirt-guide, the combination of a stand, a guide-carrier rotatable thereon, a marking-guide connected to the carrier, and a caster-wheel supporting the outer portion of the carrier.

6. In a skirt-guide, the combination of a stand, a foot-rest fixed thereon, a guide-carrier fitting a circumferential recess in the stand and having a downwardly and horizontally projecting arm, and a marking-guide connected to the carrier-arm and adjustable thereon toward and from the stand.

MARY A. PETGEN. lVitnesses:

J. SNowDEN BELL, ALEXANDER BYERs. 

